NATURAL RESOURCES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22719, 4 November 1935, Page 7

NATURAL RESOURCES

SCIENTIFIC INVESTIGATION ACTIVITIES OF THE STATE OUTLINED BY PRIME MINISTER (Pee United Press Association) CHRISTCHURCH, November 3. Recent investigations of the natural resources of New Zealand, principally for oil, gold, iron, and flax were described by the Prime Minister, ' Mr Forbes, in* an address at Amberley on Saturday. Mr Forbes particularly mentioned the survey of new areas for oil by geologists of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Zealand was now entering upon a period when some time could be devoted to reconstruction, Mr Forbes said, and it was necessary to determine what new* industries could be established or stimulated. Many attempts had been made to exploit the oil resources of New Zealand, but the companies formed had usually lost their shareholders’ money. Large areas of country, however, had never really been explored for oil. The Government had decided to initiate a proper investigation with geological teams at work in the field. If oil could be found in. New Zealand it would be of great assistance to the country. The geologists said they were quite hopeful. Investigation was also being made into the production of oil from coal, Mr Forbes said. Improved methods had been devised for the preparation of flax fibre, and he believed the industry would orte day regain its former prosperity. After defending the Government’s actions in helping New Zealand through the crisis, 'Mr Forbes said that some critics of the Government said 4 that merely by a manipulation of the currency the difficulties could be overcome. “We all know from hard experience,” he said, “that we cannot get something for nothing, and whatever fanciful scheme for currency manipulation is proposed it has to be remembered that the bill for it will come to somebody in the end. The Old Country, with its wide experience, has never tended to leave the rails and follow any of these schemes, industry, prudence, and thrift provide the only ways out. To believe that there is a quick and easy way out and that our own effort and initiative are not necessary is a delusion.” Mr Forbes, replying to a question, said that an immigration policy could not be considered while 50,000 people were workless. A motion of thanks and confidence was carried.